Car Buying Help Required
Car Buying Help Required
Author
Discussion

Cedric Daniels

Original Poster:

122 posts

200 months

Monday 5th July 2021
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I've spotted a Superb Sportline I quite like the look of, only issue is it's a few hundred miles away. Is there any sort of guide for buying a car a fair distance away? It's been years since I bought a car and I've no idea where to start. Are prices there to be negotiated or has Covid screwed this up? Not sure I;d be keen to buy without seeing it in person, but it's a fair old jaunt to travel to not buy...

gman88667733

1,196 posts

95 months

Monday 5th July 2021
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Is it worth asking the seller for a video walkaround of the car? Cold start of the engine etc...

Anything extra that will make the drive up worth it. Obviously do your own HPI check if needed too.

eleveneleven

163 posts

63 months

Monday 5th July 2021
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I agree ask for a full video tour, (inside, outside, engine & start up. make sure you can see the dash when engine starts, to check for warning lights and to see how it idles, and ask them to do it when the engine is cold. If its an auto ask them to shift trough the gears and listen for any strange sounding noises) do a HPI check and ask the seller if they can show you pictures of any service history, receipts etc. Don't be afraid of bugging the seller until you get all the info you need.

It's quite a distance to travel to look at a car so you want to be sure all boxes are checked before you take the plunge.
once you're there inspect the bodywork/tires properly (alignment, dents, rust etc) make sure all the features work and take it for spin.

Might be worth making a day of it, see what else is in or around the area that's of interest to you beforehand, so its not a completely wasted trip if things don't quite work out with the car.

- Everything is up for negotiation when it comes to cars
- also bare in mind that if you're buying from a dealership that offer a warranty chances are you'll have to return the car there should something go wrong that's covered under their warranty. A lot of dealers like to have their own workshops look at/fix cars they sell, it's definitely something worth checking beforehand.

Good luck.

Edited by eleveneleven on Monday 5th July 16:31


Edited by eleveneleven on Monday 5th July 16:37

ZX10R NIN

30,467 posts

153 months

Monday 5th July 2021
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Always go & view especially if you want to negotiate.

As an example I went & looked at an A35 today the pictures & video showed no damage, there was a scuff mark on the bumper that had gone through the paint (black car) & another on the arch.

Both had been missed by the sales staff & guys in the workshop, a suitable discount was negotiated & the deal was done, the car's booked in at a bodyshop for the work to be carried out & the new owner has enough for a remap too.

You're not spending a small amount of money so why wouldn't you go & view it, maybe line up a couple of others to look at that can be part of your route home if the first one doesn't workout.

Cedric Daniels

Original Poster:

122 posts

200 months

Thursday 8th July 2021
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Cheers for the advice folks. Got the personalised video today, car looks absolutely spot on. Tried to talk figures with the saleman however they are refusing to budge on the price because I'm not wanting the finance they are offering. Unreal.

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

135 months

Thursday 8th July 2021
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Where abouts is it? Maybe one of us can view it in person on your behalf

Cedric Daniels

Original Poster:

122 posts

200 months

Thursday 8th July 2021
quotequote all
Pistonheader101 said:
Where abouts is it? Maybe one of us can view it in person on your behalf
Car is Wolverhampton but I've withdrawn my interest as the garage have said they will only negotiate the price if I take their finance, which is far dearer than the bank loan apr. Seems such a daft way do to business.

oilslick

969 posts

214 months

Thursday 8th July 2021
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Cedric Daniels said:
Car is Wolverhampton but I've withdrawn my interest as the garage have said they will only negotiate the price if I take their finance, which is far dearer than the bank loan apr. Seems such a daft way do to business.
Dealers are struggling for stock and it's very much a seller's market at the moment. I was looking for a used car recently and couldn't find a dealer who would budge on price.